Where Does the Eye Go?....

I've redone this post in response to a challenge from a dear sister.   
While it is my goal to always share what I believe to be Truth in love and kindness - 
 I also know that it will not be possible to never offend.    Someday I'll share more on that...

The goal of this post is to give you a quick measure - a little test - 
to be able to tell what is modest vs. immodest.  
It's the viewing of actual images - with faces - 
that drives the point home.  So please bear with me here... 
As you look at any given image - simply take note
 where your eye goes almost first thing...

  What becomes the focus?  Be honest...

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 Now take note of this last photo... the eye goes where? 

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 For me  -it hovers over the dress and then returns to
 the face without any true hint of sensuality.
(Ok - I did notice those shoes...)

If any clothing or outfit highlights or draws the eye to a  

sensual part of our bodies - it is not modest.  It is that simple.  

My intent here was for women to take this test (not men) and yet even we can tell where the eye goes.

I realize this clothing all looked pretty normal - and is broadly seen - 
even in the Christian community.   
But dear ones - that doesn't mean it belongs there.

Together, let's be a shining example of purity ~ Joyce
Linking to Modest Monday

But What About the Prostitutes?...

Today's bite-sized Headcovering thought...

Have you heard or perhaps been taught that the reason 
Paul shared about headcoverings in I Cor. 11 was because 
the prostitutes of the day were about the only ones
 who went about bareheaded and shorn?  

So the Christian women needed to look different than them?   

And I think the argument further goes that since this is 

no longer the case - we no longer need to practice headcovering.

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Well, interestingly - Paul never mentions the prostitutes, 

the culture of the day or anything remotely close for the reason 

for this teaching.  It would seem that should have been mentioned.

(He does mention 'traditions' - we'll have to look at that in another post.)

Also - according to R.C.H.Leske in his book

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The Interpretation of I and II Corinthians  "all the evidence that 

has been discovered proves that only a few of the very lowest 

types (of prostitutes) had shorn or shaven heads".

And according to Myron Horst -  "By the time 1 Corinthians 

was written, 200 years after the temple prostitute system was destroyed,

 Corinth was a thoroughly Roman city. Life in the Roman Empire, 

during this time in the first century AD, was in many ways more like 

society today than any other time in history."  He also states from 

his research that there were other nonChristian women - 

not just the prostitutes - of this time that did not cover their heads.

For a further in depth study of dress and

 headcovering customs of the day - check out 

Headcovering Customs of the Ancient World by Michael Marlowe.

May the Word of God be our guide for life ~ Joyce

Scripture Sunday...

Quilted Nest is my other blog.

What a beautiful testimony if this is true of our homes.  

But perhaps some of us feel like we have failed - and the Lord 

was not served in our homes the way He should have been.  

We need not despair.  We can still choose this day whom we 

will serve in your own house - our own body.  We can only choose

for ourselves - not our family members - not even
those dearest to us.  

But yes, with the Spirit's help - we can choose - each one of us - 

to serve the Lord - this day!  

And be encouraged to know that fervent prayer will unleash the 
Spirit to continue to work in the lives our loved ones.

With a Plan and Purpose ~ Joyce
Linking to Modest Monday 

Modesty Begins Wtihin...

inner modesty = outward modesty by apostolicswag on Polyvore

Vines Grass clip art
clker.com

paulinacarmel.com
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paulinacarmel.com

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paulinacarmel.com
paulinacarmel.com

swirls
illustratingstories.com

Stock illustration
sxc.hu

Has Headcovering Been Done Away With?...

Let me introduce Sarah.  She blogs over at Obedient Joy.  

  She has a post where she shares her husband's thoughts as it 

relates to her desire to practice headcovering in this 'modern age'.  

 He concludes that "the Bible is giving a pretty clear command in 

1 Corinthians 11 and nowhere in Scripture does it revoke that command." 

He goes on to say "...the only commands in Scripture that have 

been 'done away with' are the ones that were fulfilled in Jesus.  

Since this one came after Jesus had already lived,

 died, and rose again, and because it was given to the church 

that was created after Jesus had fulfilled all that needed to be fulfilled,

(then) we have no evidence of it ever being something that 

was supposed to stop being practiced at some point."

I was so blessed by these thoughts.  Hope they blessed you as well.

Be encouraged with these words ~Joyce

 

Scripture Sunday...

So teach us to number our days, 
That we may gain a heart of wisdom

Psalm 90:12 

Spotted on a tree in Chautauqua Mount Gretna, PA

Tonight at church we were reminded to live each day in the present.  
Not in the past with regrets or in the future hoping or waiting 
for things to 'get better'.  But to live each day to the
 glory and honor of the Lord - right now - just how it is.

With the Lord's help I can do that!  Will you join me?

One day at a time with Jesus ~ Joyce  

Commandment or Conviction?

As we discuss the topics of headcovering and modesty - there are 

some things to keep in mind.  First - if something is specifically commanded 

in scripture - it is really non optional.  It doesn't matter if a person 

has a conviction for it or not - it is to be followed... i.e. - obeyed. 

However, as in the cases of both headcovering and modesty - both of 

which are commanded in scripture - there are many details surrounding 

these topics which are left up to the believer to further search the 

scriptures and seek the Spirit's leading for practical application.   

Then the Christian can come up with a conclusion and

 a conviction of how to practice that commandment.

I am challenged that while I can stand firm that these are New Testament 

commands for this modern time... some of what I share

on this blog may be conclusion and conviction. 

So - let us encourage each other and learn from each other.

 This article by David Reagan does a really good job of explaining 

the differences between commandments, conclusions and convictions.  

Incidentally - the topic of his article is women wearing pants and 

I rejoice in his conclusions and convictions.   I also discovered 

(in a separate article) that he believes headcovering is a scriptural 

command - but is struggling to know how to teach it in 'today's society'.  

So instead he is teaching that 'long hair' (not at all short) is a covering.  

While I don't agree with this... it blessed my heart to see him have 

an open heart to what the Lord is saying in the scripture to something 

he had once believed differently.  May I too have an open heart to what 

the Lord may be leading me to see in His Word that I'm not currently seeing!

Are Pants Modest? Part II...

In the last post we addressed that pants - or at least form fitting clothing - 

is not really modest at all.  But I will acknowledge that are a few times 

(and I believe they are few) in a woman's life when pants are more 

modest than wearing a skirt.  These times could include activities such as 

horse back riding, riding a motorcycle, tumbling in the snow or when 

skirts could show 'under' things, etc.  What do we do then?  

One suggestion is to wear long tunic shirts or a dress over your 

pants so that they cover your whole pelvic region...
(I personally believe they should at least well cover the thigh area - 
but we'll leave that discussion for another post.)

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 Another option is to wear very loose fitting pants...

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 Or how about wearing leggings under a full knee length skirt? (my favorite!)

Of course - for the seamstresses among us - there is always the option 

of making your own modest riding skirt, full cut pants, etc.  

And for a last thought - here's another set of comparison photos for you.   
There is no doubt that skirts speak pure femininity...

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...women in pants?  Not so much.

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Are Pants Modest Part I

My Redeemer Lives ~ Joyce

Linking to Modest Monday

Are Pants Modest?

Pants on women is very controversial in the Christian community.
(But I realize most everything about this blog is controversial...)
Perhaps many  have never even thought about it. 
Are pants modest? Let's consider this question that doesn't 
have as straight forward of an answer as we would like. 

First - since a picture is worth a thousand words,
  let's take a look at some pants...

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If I am honest - I would have to say I don't find these pants immodest.  

These are men's pants - worn on men - and have a relaxed fit throughout.  

(I am in no way advocating skinny jeans on men!)

Now - from the same company - let's look at women's pants...

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 These photos represent typical women's jeans.  Indeed - 

they are intentionally designed to fit this way - on women -  

by our clothing industry.  Do you see a difference as it 

relates to modesty or the figure of the body?

What is being highlighted here?

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Now let me ask this - Is form fitting clothing ever modest?  

Therein lies the heartbeat of the answer to 'Are pants modest?'  

If the clothing a woman is wearing is showcasing her

 legs, thighs, buttocks and more - then isn't the answer obvious?  

No, it is not modest.  

But perhaps you say - 'My pants that I wear aren't this tight.'  

While I'd love to be able to give you an exact point of reference for 

where to draw the lines - I simply can't.  It doesn't exist.  

But I would ask these questions...

1.  How do you feel in your pants - does it even hint at 'sexy' or 'sensual'?

2.  Does your hubby or father or father figure find
them bordering on 'sexy' or 'sensual'?  
(Not all men see things the same way; & Godly men may be more sensitive in this area.

But most men can at least acknowledge if it could be a problem for some in their gender.)

3.  Should Christian women even flirt with the 'line' of immodesty?

In the next post - let's look a bit more at this topic of 'pants on women'...

Are Pants Modest Part II

All for Jesus ~ Joyce

Linking to Modest Monday

Scripture Sunday...

Being 'different' can be hard...

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, 

and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: 

for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:10-12

Sometimes doing or standing for what we believe is right 

results in hurtful responses from those we love. 

Take courage - Jesus knows this feeling and so did the prophets of old.  

Have a pure heart before the Father, stand tall, and let Him handle the rest!

A blessed Lord's Day to you ~Joyce 

Incidentally - if you want to watch something inspiring and encouraging - 

this is a beautiful testimony of a Godly Amish family...
They have since, sadly, been excommunicated for doing the film.

Just For the Corinthians, Right? Part II...

As I mentioned previously - the greeting in I Corinthians is 

pretty broad.  Yet there is the thinking that Chapter 11:1-16 

was written just for them - at that time.

Following this thinking a bit - let's look at the greetings of the other 

New Testament books aside from the 4 Gospels and Acts...

Romans - no recipient specified
II Corinthians - "To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia"  
Galations - "To the churches of Galatia"
Ephesians -  "To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus"
Colosians - "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse"
I Thessalonians - "To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
II Thessalonians - "To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
I Timothy - "To Timothy, a true son in the faith"
II Timothy - "To Timothy, a beloved son"
Titus - "To Titus, a true son in our common faith"
Philemon - "To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house."
Hebrews - no receipient specified
James - "To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad"
I Peter - "To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."
II Peter - "To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ."
I John - no recipient specified
II John - "To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever."
III John - "To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth"
Jude - "to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called."
Revelation - "to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass."

Out of this list - 13 books have such narrow greetings we could assume they 

are definitely not for us today.  Yet no Christian assumes that (that I know of).   

Here are just a few examples of teachings within these 13 books 

that are, or almost are, totally unique to that New Testament book.  

Most Christians uphold these teachings...

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Colossians 2: 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

1 Thessalonians 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.

1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

So why wouldn't we uphold the teachings found in I Corinthians 11:1-16?

Part I of this short study.

To God be the Glory ~ Joyce 

This list of all the biblical commands was helpful.

It Was Just For the Corinthians, Right? Part I...

A Headcovering thought...

Many teach or have been taught that I Corinthians 11:1-16 

was a teaching just for the Corinthians and only at that time.  

For today's thought, let's look at the beginning of the book.

 Paul tells us in verse 2 of chapter 1 who he is writing to...

 

"To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are 

sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place 

 call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." NKJV

Note the words I placed in bold.  With all - in every place... 

it's a little hard to feel excluded - even in these modern time from these words -  

If we are in Christ Jesus that is.  

In almost no other book of the New Testament is the greeting 

so broad as it is in this book.

In the next post we'll continue with this thought just a bit.

Part II of this short study.

In the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord ~ Joyce

My Fav Modest Fashion Blogs...

Thought I'd share with you my hand's down favorite 3 blogs showcasing cute modest outfits.   
(Nope, I don't believe being modest requires being less than attractive.  Sensual? no - Cute? yes.)  
Only one of these gals practices head covering of any sort - (and just for church) - 
but I appreciate their conviction to dress in a manner
befitting a daughter of the King. 

Kristina is full of upcycling skills, has a sweet family and supportive husband,  
designs clothing, has a book, speaks on modesty, and is just plain adorable...

Enjoy her blog at Kristina J...

 Kellie also designs clothing (and more) and has an online shop. 
She's actually an amazing seamstress.  Her blog Accordian to Kellie 
is one of the best looking in all of blog land in my opinion.

Olivia is a busy, busy sister who amazes me with what she finds time to do.  
She makes many of her own jean skirts - and without a pattern many times.  
(She did create and sells a jean skirt pattern tho!)
Her blog Fresh Modesty was the first that I found from a young woman 
committed to living out her faith through her wardrobe.  
She talks candidly about what she believes - love that!

Enjoy!

Grace and Peace to you this day ~ Joyce
   

A Thought on 'Modest Is Hottest'....

Have you heard this phrase?  I'm so glad there are ministries and 
persons who are choosing to uphold the biblical values of modesty.  
Many are making better choices regarding their wardrobes and society 
is beginning to rethink this topic like never before.  This is great!

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But 'Hottest'?   
 
Modesty is God commanded (it's not about us).  And our obedience brings 
Him glory.  We are to protect the sensual part of ourselves from 
public display.  Why?  Because it is beautiful and belongs to the 
one God has given us in marriage - or will yet give us - 
and it does not belong to the masses.  Should we be wanting to look 'hot' - 
a sensual term that denotes being a 'turn-on'?  

Should Christian modesty and 'hot' go together?  
Perhaps we should rethink our word choices.

Side note -  Let's think one step further...  Where will others focus their eyes 
when there are words splashed across the upper chest?

God Bless you this day! - Joyce

Every Woman Who...Prophesies...

Today's 'bite-sized' headcovering thought...

So - when should it be done?  This verse gives us some clues...

'But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered 

dishonors her head...' I Corinthians 11:5a  

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  Did you know - that according to the Amplified Bible - prophesies 

can mean teaches, refutes, reproves, admonishes, or comforts?

Did you also know that there is nothing in verses 1-16 

that even hints that this teaching is for church services alone?  

 

God Bless you this day ~ Joyce